HST and Snowblowers (3pt)

[JDGreenGrass]

With a gear tractor you set a throttle position (on my old 670, 790 and current 4400 this is a hand throttle) so you don't really need a foot on the throttle (but there is a foot throttle if you do want to use it. This is also how JDGreenGrass' 770 works.
Not a "cruise ontrol" as most would think of one, but that's basically what it does.

That's right..!!

My feet are free moving when operating the blower in reverse with the geared tractor. This is the core of my original question.

Which is "more" comfortable.??

 

[JDGreenGrass]

True. But if you've got the engine wound up to run an implement, finding just the right speed for your situation (heavy or light snow, etc.) will depend on your gear selection if you don't have HST.
I found myself having to hit the clutch pedal to almost try and "coast" sometimes while running snowblower if the going got too heavy. Low range was simply too slow in reverse for snow blowing for my liking. It wasn't as much of an issue in brush hogging in forward, due to having 4 gears to choose from.

This is my opinion. I repeat, IMO.....You don't know how to operate a tractor properly if you are not useing it as designed.

In other words, if you are constantly on the clutch you must do something different. Period. Change. Use low range. It's a no brainer.

If you don't like the performance of your tractor....Change. Period. There are other methods that should be used other than useing the equipment you have wrongly.

Slow down.!!

I find low range reverse to be perfect, so far. And, I could "feel" that my machine liked low range reverse, too. And that's what is most important.

I sure wouldn't be happy rideing the clutch, nor would my machine.

 

[JJZ 109]

This is my opinion. I repeat, IMO.....You don't know how to operate a tractor properly if you are not useing it as designed.

In other words, if you are constantly on the clutch you must do something different. Period. Change. Use low range. It's a no brainer.

If you don't like the performance of your tractor....Change. Period. There are other methods that should be used other than useing the equipment you have wrongly.

Slow down.!!

I find low range reverse to be perfect, so far. And, I could "feel" that my machine liked low range reverse, too. And that's what is most important.

I sure wouldn't be happy rideing the clutch, nor would my machine.

I have a Class A CDL, I'm pretty sure I know about how to use a clutch and manual transmissions. Constructive criticism is fine. Don't read one post and then tell me that I don't know how to use the tractor.
As I stated, there was only a problem when trying to blow snow in high range reverse. Sometimes I'd have to depress the clutch half way to stop the tractor but keep the PTO engaged if the tractor was moving too fast for snow conditions. I wasn't "riding the clutch" per se.
On the other hand, low range was far too slow for me no matter what the snow conditions were. When it was cold and breezy I'd rather do my yard in 30 - 40 minutes than in an hour and a half.
Guess what the answer was? Like you suggested, I changed tractors. I'll take HST with a cab over gear shift and open station for snow blowing any day.

 

[wnymudd]

I have a JD3032e hydro and run a 72" heavy duty blower on the back. Wanted a 64" but a friend had this one for a great price (300 bucks). :thumbsup: Anyways, I turn slightly in my seat and use my left foot to do the pedal. Haven't tried the cruise yet. The hydro allows me to ease into the snow. Best setup for me as it still allows me to use bucket for cleaning out animal stalls ect. during the winter. We do know snow in my parts!

 

[lungdoc]

I use a 4320 hydro and it works great (except for lack of cab!). I can't imagine how a gear tractor at PTO RPM can match all the possible speeds I might want - 3" of light snow is a huge difference from 12 inches of heavy stuff. There is a huge variability in travel speed I want depending on snow, hill, proximity to buildings or a ditch etc.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

wnymudd said......
I turn slightly in my seat and use my left foot to do the pedal. Haven't tried the cruise yet.




I thought someone would use this method. I don't think my left foot is trained well enough to operate the pedal.?? Did it take you some time to operate in this manner.??

 

[JDGreenGrass]

I use a 4320 hydro and it works great (except for lack of cab!). I can't imagine how a gear tractor at PTO RPM can match all the possible speeds I might want - 3" of light snow is a huge difference from 12 inches of heavy stuff. There is a huge variability in travel speed I want depending on snow, hill, proximity to buildings or a ditch etc.

I can see clearly that I will use low range reverse for both storms....3 inches or 2 feet. I find this speed to be exceptionally efficient.

By the way, the cold doesn't bother at all. I like it. The fire is there if I need it.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

I have a Class A CDL, I'm pretty sure I know about how to use a clutch and manual transmissions. Constructive criticism is fine. Don't read one post and then tell me that I don't know how to use the tractor.
As I stated, there was only a problem when trying to blow snow in high range reverse. Sometimes I'd have to depress the clutch half way to stop the tractor but keep the PTO engaged if the tractor was moving too fast for snow conditions. I wasn't "riding the clutch" per se.
On the other hand, low range was far too slow for me no matter what the snow conditions were. When it was cold and breezy I'd rather do my yard in 30 - 40 minutes than in an hour and a half.
Guess what the answer was? Like you suggested, I changed tractors. I'll take HST with a cab over gear shift and open station for snow blowing any day.

Like I said...I can't imagine snowblowing in high range. Waay too fast.!! People warn of going too fast while using a rear blade in reverse. The same applies to using a blower in reverse. Slow and easy = %100 efficiency.

I would think most would choose a cab for dealing with snow. Not all can afford one.

When it comes to tractors I find them to be extremely efficient though not always comfortable and warm. But, I am fine with that. Weather rarely deters me from doing a chore outside.

I'm surprised you didn't go with a truck and a plow.??

 

[Airedale]

I use a 4320 hydro and it works great (except for lack of cab!). I can't imagine how a gear tractor at PTO RPM can match all the possible speeds I might want - 3" of light snow is a huge difference from 12 inches of heavy stuff. There is a huge variability in travel speed I want depending on snow, hill, proximity to buildings or a ditch etc.

The newer gear tractors are a far cry from the old three or four speed transmissions of the past. My TYM has 16 speeds forward and 16 speeds in reverse, believe me there is no problem matching your gearing to the job at hand.

My former tractor, a Kubota had HST and I liked it a lot but as I get used to the operation of my new gear tractor I am liking it more and more.

Al

 

[Heywood Jannockitov]

For me personally, my JD 5425 with power reverser and hi-lo 24x24 trans is ideal for blowing snow using a rear mounted blower. I can sit sideways in the seat, facing right, so the shifter, hand throttle and 3pt e-hitch up/down buttons are basically right in front of me.

It is easy to look back without too much neck straining. I use e-pto in order to have full 540 rpm on the blower to keep the chute from plugging, yet engine rpm is only 1700. Running an 80 in. N.A. blower with a 5425 doesn't even begin to labour the engine! I use a gear suited for the conditions, often low range 3rd or 4th, then somewhat speed up or slow down as required by simply using the hi/lo buttons. Maybe not the speed range one would have with HST, but I'm not twisting my leg around to work foot pedals

I'm steering with my left hand and toggling the reverser with my left index finger without the need to take my hand off of the steering wheel. My feet don't have to do anything because I'm clutching with my index finger.

I rarely have to use the brakes because the machine usually stops dead when reverser is put in neutral anyway with the blower down, acting like an anchor.

Still, having the blower out in front would be preferred